Ellen Corby was an American actress whose distinctive performances across film and television made her a respected figure in Hollywood for more than six decades. Best known for her portrayal of Grandma Esther Walton on the popular CBS series The Waltons, she earned three Primetime Emmy Awards for that role, highlighting her impact on American television drama.
Corby also won a Golden Globe and received an Academy Award nomination for her work in the 1948 film I Remember Mama, underscoring her versatility and acclaim in both mediums. Her body of work and numerous awards reflect a lasting legacy in 20th-century entertainment.
Early Life
Ellen Corby was born Ellen Hansen on June 3, 1911, in Racine, Wisconsin. Both of her parents were immigrants from Denmark, and she was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Public records provide few other details about her childhood or education; beyond her birthplace and family background, little is documented in accessible sources.
| Fact Category | Verified & Important Fact |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ellen Hansen (professionally known as Ellen Corby) |
| Date of Birth | Born on June 3, 1911 |
| Place of Birth | Racine, Wisconsin, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Film and television actress |
| Most Famous Role | Grandma Esther Walton on The Waltons |
| Major Awards | Three Primetime Emmy Awards |
| Film Recognition | Academy Award nominee for I Remember Mama (1948) |
| Career Span | Active in Hollywood for over six decades |
| Net Worth | Estimated $0.5M–$1.5M at the time of her death |
Professional Beginnings
Ellen Corby began her Hollywood career behind the scenes. She spent about twelve years at RKO Pictures as a script supervisor (then called a “script girl”), learning the craft of filmmaking from the ground up.
During this period she also pursued screenwriting – co-authoring the 1941 Western Twilight on the Trail and later providing the story for Hoppy’s Holiday (1947).
By the mid-1940s Corby was eager to act, and in 1945 she persuaded RKO executives to cast her on camera. She made her film debut in 1946 with an uncredited role in the noir Dark Corner.
Early on she was typically cast in modest supporting parts – often playing maids, spinsters or busybodies – roles she portrayed with memorable conviction and nuance.
Role Progression & Industry Contributions
Corby steadily built a prolific career as a character actress in Hollywood. In the late 1940s and 1950s she became a familiar face in major films, bringing a blend of warmth and wit to every role.
Her performance as Aunt Trina in I Remember Mama (1948) earned her an Academy Award nomination (and a Golden Globe win) for Best Supporting Actress.
She appeared in many other classic movies of the era – for example, in It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) she played a small but memorable role as a bank depositor, and in Sabrina (1954) she was Humphrey Bogart’s secretary.
Over time her filmography grew to nearly one hundred titles, and she was often cast as stern yet sympathetic secondary characters (such as the town gossip in Hush… Sweet Charlotte). In each part Corby brought grounded authenticity, making even brief appearances feel vivid and genuine.
Corby’s talents extended fully into television as well. She guest-starred on many popular series, showcasing her versatility. For example, she sold Barney Fife a bad car on The Andy Griffith Show and played “Mother Lurch” on The Addams Family.
She co-starred in the sitcom Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1965–67) and earlier had a regular role on the western series Trackdown (1957–59).
These TV roles, ranging from comedic to dramatic, demonstrated Corby’s adaptability: she could play a lovable eccentric one week and a stern teacher the next, always lending credibility to her characters. By the late 1960s she was firmly established as a skilled supporting actress across both film and television.
In 1972 Corby took on the role that would define her career: Esther “Grandma” Walton on CBS’s drama The Waltons. As the family matriarch, she became one of the show’s central figures.
Corby appeared regularly on The Waltons through the mid-1970s, and her portrayal of the wise, no-nonsense grandmother became beloved by audiences.
(A stroke in 1977 briefly cut her participation short, but she recovered to appear in many of the Waltons reunion movies in the 1980s and 1990s.)
This role showcased Corby’s ability to infuse simple family scenes with warmth and strength, and it cemented her popularity with viewers nationwide.
Notable Career Milestones
Corby’s work earned her some of the highest honors in entertainment. For I Remember Mama (1948) she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and she won the Golden Globe for that same performance.
Her performance on The Waltons brought her even greater acclaim: she won three Primetime Emmy Awards (1973, 1975, 1976) for Outstanding Supporting Actress on the series and a Golden Globe in 1974.
In 1989 she received the Golden Boot Award from the Motion Picture & Television Fund, recognizing her extensive contributions to Western film and television.
Corby remained active in her profession into old age; her last screen appearance was in 1997 in the Waltons television special A Walton’s Easter.
Legacy & Lasting Influence
Ellen Corby left an enduring mark as a consummate character actress and on-screen grandmother figure. Her role as Grandma Walton came to epitomize the warmth and family values portrayed by The Waltons.
Colleagues remember her professionalism and spirit: co-star Michael Learned later praised Corby’s “incredible spirit and humor and strength” even after her health struggles. Over nearly six decades in film and TV, Corby helped define how older women were portrayed on screen, as resilient, wise, and authentic.
She consistently brought depth and humanity to supporting parts, ensuring that her characters felt fully lived-in. Today she is fondly remembered as one of television’s most beloved matriarchs and as a dedicated actress whose career of small but vital roles continues to be celebrated for its sincerity and skill.
Ellen Corby Net Worth
At the time of her death, Ellen Corby’s net worth was estimated to be between $0.5 million and $1.5 million. She earned this wealth through her decades-long acting career, especially her long-running role as Grandma Esther Walton on the TV series The Waltons. Her career spanned six decades, during which she appeared in over 200 film and television roles from the 1930s to the 1990s, earning acting salaries (and later residuals) over many years. Major financial outlets did not report her net worth, so these figures remain unofficial estimates from entertainment sources.
FAQs
Q1: Who was Ellen Corby?
Ellen Corby was an American actress best known for playing Grandma Esther Walton on the CBS television series The Waltons.
Q2: What was Ellen Corby famous for?
She was famous for her role as Grandma Walton, which earned her three Primetime Emmy Awards.
Q3: When and where was Ellen Corby born?
Ellen Corby was born on June 3, 1911, in Racine, Wisconsin, United States.
Q4: Did Ellen Corby win any major awards?
Yes, she won three Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, and she was nominated for an Academy Award.
Q5: What movie earned Ellen Corby an Academy Award nomination?
She received an Academy Award nomination for her supporting role in I Remember Mama (1948).
